"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming."
1 Corinthians 15:20-23
Part 3
Yesterday: Believers Who Sleep in Christ
“And become the first-fruits of them that slept.” (b)
Death for a believer in Christ Jesus is only sleeping. Our bodies will be “awakened and glorified” all in God’s perfect time.
Today: Adam’s, and Christ’s, Bequests for Humans
What did Adam leave behind for mankind when he died? And what did Jesus leave behind for mankind when He died and rose again?
“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.”
“For since by man came death.”
Everyone related to Adam, the “first Adam” must die in due time. Every human is living on borrowed time. It’s a universal curse, for “the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). Adam has left us this legacy of sin and death because he disobeyed God.
“And unto Adam, He said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt, thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee, and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (Genesis 3:17-19).
The “first Adam” made all his future generations sinners. And the sentence hanging over the head of every sinner is death!
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12).
Our legacy in Adam is that we are all sinners heading for death, separation from God for all eternity! We are born with this sentence over us already because of our inheritance in Adam. Sinners from birth!
To the “sons of men,” God says, “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies” (Psalm 58:3).
To Israel, God said, “Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time, that thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb” (Isaiah 48:8).
“…and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36b).
The “first Adam” has left us in our human condition, hopeless and helpless in this life and the next.
“By man came also the resurrection of the dead.”
The Bible tells us of another Man that came to help us. Jesus is that Man, the “last Adam.” The good news is that everyone related to Jesus Christ will live! Those in His family are sinners saved by grace.
Because of the “last Adam’s,” Jesus’ obedience, many will live.
“And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).
Believers, we are still related to the “first Adam.” Nothing can change that. But when we became Christ’s followers, we were born into His family, and now we possess eternal life that makes all the difference in this life and the next. Praise God!
Just to be clear, Adam and his legacy to mankind made us sinners. But Jesus Christ has brought us redemption, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life! Tomorrow we will follow up with “Adam and death” and “Jesus Christ and life.” See you then!
Quote: “Therefore as by the offense of one [Adam] judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [Jesus] the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience, many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:18-19).